PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY — A grocery store clerk who was stabbed inside a supermarket on Berkeley Street died Monday at a hospital, and police detained her estranged husband, who is expected to be booked for murder.
The stabbing was reported at 3:24 p.m. Sunday at the Albertsons market at 3105 Wilshire Blvd., said Santa Monica Police Department spokesman Sgt. Richard Lewis.
“Callers reported that there was a man inside the store stabbing a female employee,” Lewis said.
Officers arriving at the location found the victim, identified as Christina Talley, 46, of Los Angeles, suffering from nearly 30 stab wounds to the head and torso, but she was still conscious, Lewis said.
The mother of two was transported to a local hospital, where she died about 2:30 Monday morning.
“She just couldn’t withstand those injuries,” Lewis said.
Investigators believe the husband, identified as Kelvin Green, 52, of Los Angeles, went into the store and approached the victim from behind while she was working at a checkout stand. Lewis said Green began hitting and stabbing the victim from behind and then fled southbound on Berkeley Street toward Wilshire.
Officers located Green several hours after the attack. He was transported to a hospital to be treated for an undisclosed medical illness. Lewis said he could not disclose the nature of the illness.
“When he’s eligible for booking, he’ll be booked for murder,” Lewis said.
As for a motive behind the attack, Lewis said, “It’s hard to talk to somebody when they’re sick.”
Albertsons released a statement Monday offering condolences to the victim’s family.
“Albertsons is deeply saddened by this terrible tragedy and extends its most sincere sympathy to the associate’s friends and family,” said Lilia Rodriguez, a spokesperson for Albertsons. “We are fully cooperating with the Santa Monica Police Department as they investigate this incident and further questions should be directed to them at this time. We also ask that the privacy of our store associates be respected during this extraordinarily difficult time.”
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Larios at (310) 458-8937 or Sgt. Jacob at (310) 458-8460 or the SMDP (24 hours) at (310) 458-8495.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip hotline at (800) 78-CRIME (1-800-78-27463), or submit the tip online at www.wetip.com. Callers will remain completely anonymous and may be eligible for a reward, up to $1,000, if information provided leads to an arrest and conviction.
Or, anonymous tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers by either calling (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting their website at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
kevinh@www.smdp.com